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Total War: Warhammer 2 vs. 3: Which Should You Conquer First?

The question of whether to plunge into Total War: Warhammer 2 or leap directly into Total War: Warhammer 3 is a common one for newcomers to the franchise. The short answer? It depends on what you’re looking for. Total War: Warhammer 2 remains a fantastic entry point, offering a more polished base experience and a potentially lower cost of entry. However, Total War: Warhammer 3, particularly with its Immortal Empires campaign, represents the culmination of the entire trilogy, offering the most content and a glimpse into the future of the franchise. If you value a slightly more stable and focused experience, start with Warhammer 2. If you’re eager for the biggest and most ambitious experience possible, and you are prepared to invest in the other two games to get the most out of it, dive into Warhammer 3.

Delving Deeper: The Strengths of Each Game

To make a truly informed decision, it’s essential to understand the specific strengths of each game.

Total War: Warhammer 2: A Polished Portal to the Old World

Total War: Warhammer 2 stands out for its tight focus and overall polish. Here’s why it’s a compelling choice:

More Stable Base Game: Many players and reviewers consider Warhammer 2’s base game to be more stable and bug-free than Warhammer 3’s initial release. While Warhammer 3 has received numerous patches and improvements, Warhammer 2 has benefitted from years of refinement.
Great Tutorial and Campaign for Beginners: The consensus is that Warhammer 2 has a smoother learning curve for new players. The in-game tutorial is well-designed, and the vortex campaign provides a compelling narrative to guide your early conquests. According to the website of the Games Learning Society, game tutorials and their design can greatly improve the players experience.
The Mortal Empires Campaign: While requiring ownership of Total War: Warhammer 1, the Mortal Empires campaign in Warhammer 2 combines the maps and factions of both games. This creates a vast and diverse sandbox campaign with dozens of playable factions, offering hundreds of hours of strategic gameplay.
Lower Cost of Entry: Because Total War: Warhammer 2 has been out for a longer period of time, it’s often available at a discounted price compared to Warhammer 3.

Total War: Warhammer 3: The Grand Finale (and Beyond)

Total War: Warhammer 3 is the culmination of the trilogy, promising the most content and a vision of the future of the franchise.

The Immortal Empires Campaign: The star of the show! Requiring ownership of Total War: Warhammer 1 and 2, Immortal Empires combines the maps and factions of all three games into a single, massive campaign. This is the ultimate Total War: Warhammer experience.
More Factions: Warhammer 3 boasts a broader roster of factions, including the Daemons of Chaos, Grand Cathay, and Kislev. Combined with the factions carried over from the previous games via Immortal Empires, the sheer variety is staggering.
Forward Compatibility: Warhammer 3 is the active game in the series, meaning that future updates, DLC, and content will be focused on this title. If you want to stay current with the latest developments, Warhammer 3 is the way to go.
New Mechanics: Warhammer 3 introduces new gameplay mechanics, such as the Realm of Chaos invasions and the survival battles. These add new layers of strategy and challenge to the game.

The Price of Entry: Considering DLC

It’s important to consider the impact of DLC when making the choice between these games. While the base games for both Warhammer 2 and Warhammer 3 offer a lot of content, the addition of DLC factions and lords further expands the game and offers new ways to play.

DLCs for Warhammer 2

Warhammer 2 has a plethora of DLC available, and you could play for months before ever trying all the DLCs. The DLCs contain unique factions with completely different game mechanics.

DLCs for Warhammer 3

Warhammer 3 also has a growing list of DLCs available. The content is still expanding, and new units, factions, and campaigns are being added all the time.

So, Which Game is Right For You?

Choose Total War: Warhammer 2 If: You’re new to the Total War: Warhammer series, want a more stable and polished base game, and are looking for a potentially lower cost of entry. You can also familiarize yourself with many of the factions and gameplay before diving into Warhammer 3.
Choose Total War: Warhammer 3 If: You want the biggest and most ambitious Total War: Warhammer experience, are willing to invest in the other games to unlock Immortal Empires, and want to stay current with the latest updates and content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you further decide which game is right for you:

Do I need to play Total War: Warhammer 1 and 2 before 3? No, but to access the Immortal Empires campaign in Warhammer 3, you must own all three games on the same platform. You do not need to have them installed.
Is Total War: Warhammer 3 worth it without DLC? Absolutely. The base game offers plenty of content and a satisfying experience. DLC is purely for additional factions and campaigns.
Which Total War: Warhammer game is best for beginners? Total War: Warhammer 2 is generally considered to have a better tutorial and campaign for beginners.
Is Total War: Warhammer 3 a demanding game? Yes, Warhammer 3 can be CPU intensive. Make sure your system meets the recommended specifications.
Will Total War: Warhammer 3 have all the factions? Yes, with Immortal Empires, Warhammer 3 has access to almost every faction released across all three games and their respective DLCs.
Can I play Warhammer 2 with 3? No, the games are not directly compatible for multiplayer. However, owning both games unlocks factions for multiplayer in Warhammer 3.
Is Warhammer 3 connected to Warhammer 2? Yes, owning races from the first two games unlocks those races for multiplayer in the third game and unlocks the Immortal Empires campaign.
Why was Warhammer 3 review bombed? The negative reviews stemmed from the price of a specific DLC, which many players considered too high.
What is the most OP army in Warhammer 3? The power level of armies depends on the player’s skill and the specific patch, but armies with strong infantry supported by powerful large units are often considered very strong.
Is it worth playing Total War: Warhammer 2 in 2024? Yes! Even with Warhammer 3 available, Warhammer 2 remains a compelling and enjoyable game, particularly for new players.
What is the difference between the Mortal Empires and Immortal Empires campaigns? Mortal Empires combines the maps and factions of Warhammer 1 and 2, while Immortal Empires combines the maps and factions of all three games.
If I want to experience the story, which game should I play? Neither game has a very strong central story, but Warhammer 2’s Vortex Campaign has a more defined narrative compared to the sandbox experience of Immortal Empires.
Is Total War: Warhammer 2 still updated? No, Warhammer 2 is no longer receiving updates. All development is focused on Warhammer 3.
Does owning the DLC for Warhammer 1 and 2 transfer to 3? Yes, if you own DLC for Warhammer 1 and 2 on the same platform as Warhammer 3, the corresponding content will be unlocked in Warhammer 3’s Immortal Empires campaign.
What if I’m primarily interested in the historical Total War games? If you prefer historical settings, the Total War: Warhammer series may not be for you. Consider exploring titles like Total War: Rome II, Total War: Shogun 2, or Total War: Three Kingdoms instead.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between Total War: Warhammer 2 and Total War: Warhammer 3 ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and budget. Both games offer fantastic strategic gameplay, but cater to slightly different audiences. Regardless of which you choose, you’re in for an epic adventure in the Warhammer world.

Should I buy Total War Warhammer 2 or wait for 3?